Hey you got a good idea, i think if you mix the ant concept with that moody atmosphere you'll have something great! And i actually like the last one with the mean wasp too. a very different approach........

¡Suerte!

Marcus_B

07-13-2007, 06:57 PM

Surreal mood to that concept - look forward to seeing the final product.

An other variation about the same concept. Ants skaters on dragonflys ...

I need to decide what will be the final concept :) ... suggestions are accepted !! :)

DreamMaster

07-20-2007, 07:48 PM

I don't know what other people's preferences are, but to me, "Nocturnal Flight" is what I like the most. It is very surreal and has a great moody feeling. :)

Ferx

07-20-2007, 08:12 PM

Thanks Dream !. Yep I like a lot the surrealist approach. Maybe more magic than strange, perhaps for that reason I have looked for other variations :)

DreamMaster

07-21-2007, 12:36 AM

Thanks Dream !. Yep I like a lot the surrealist approach. Maybe more magic than strange, perhaps for that reason I have looked for other variations :)

Yes, I completely understand you. I'm into surreal/fantasy style so I have a difficult time doing concepts without falling into surreal/fantasy catorgery too much and stray too far away from strange behaviour theme.

Nevertheless, it is still very awesome. ;) Perhaps you can find a way to make it more "strange" while rendering the surreal feeling of it?

Gord-MacDonald

07-21-2007, 02:10 AM

I like the dragonfly concept alot (I like insects - esp dragonflys)

Gord

SteevieWoo

07-21-2007, 06:41 PM

Make them surf at night! i think you should use that moody concept too!

Mmmmmm it's growing better every time..............:D

nwiz25

07-22-2007, 03:56 AM

very cool concept! :eek: ingenious i must say! :thumbsup: ... i for one love the dragonfly concept! everything can be well crafted here :p ... looking forward to more updates!

good luck mate! :thumbsup:

Ferx

07-22-2007, 05:14 AM

Gord - Thanks . Yea, you are right, dragonflys are one of the more interesting and beautiful insects. I think that they have many possibilities for a gorgeous illustration :)

Gabriel/SteevieWoo - I have been giving many turns to the idea of the skaters or surfers (that is nice :) ) I'm thinking in a "chavos banda" (underground) style for this skater ants, adorned with graffitis style decals -sounds good- in a nocturnal race.

Neville - Thanks man! I really appreciate your words. I already decided :bounce: I go by the idea of the surfers ants (thx Gabriel !) on dragonflys!!, as it explains to SteevieWoo :thumbsup:

This is the first previsuaization of the final idea, a radical surfers ants in a nocturnal race. I´m trying a underground atmosphere for this race :)
I´m thinking in a river near a industrial zone, with pipes over and in the river...

mdavid

07-24-2007, 10:11 AM

Your ideas are delightful. I'm another one who likes your skaters on the dragonflies so I'm glad you look like going with this one

Grako

07-24-2007, 09:04 PM

Thats great Ferx! Your concept has had a wonderful evolution. I really like the idea of the surfers :applause: and the cocodrile :D

Ferx

07-25-2007, 03:14 AM

Making a reflection about my idea. At the start I thought that perhaps it was not a strange behavior, but what be more stranger than ants amusing itself instead of being working! , to be in an underground ambient and not in the discipline :buttrock: . If one thinks about an insect, in a working animal, We almost for sure think about ants or bees. What I need is to emphasize this concept within my idea of surfers ants. :D

ReinaldoRomero

07-25-2007, 01:28 PM

Hola Fernando, I like your ideas and sketches so far but I dont think your last previsualization works, you are leading the eye to the center of the composition insead of the focal points, the moon is to close to the right border and characters are aligned with eac other, also dragonflies are in the same Z axis, one should be near and one should be far of the spectator for the kind of composition you are making. I know this is just a previzualisation but those are my two cents, is just a matter of move and scale some objects. Best regards mate, looking forward for your updates

Ferx

07-25-2007, 06:11 PM

Hola Reinaldo, Yes, you are right. This is only a previsualization, but I´m taking note about your comments, really thanks!! :) For sure i need to previsualize all the composition. I´m working now in the subjects and elements for the illustration. I´m thinking in a much wider image to manage the composition that i want. Again, gracias!! :thumbsup:

bluemattersoda

07-26-2007, 11:12 AM

oh man! a very unique idea! i think if you leave it as a natural water area, it'd be a lot more suitable though, IMO...but a very interesting idea! keep it up!

MoKhatib

07-27-2007, 01:56 AM

Hey Ferx I really love the main concept you adapted choosing ants and considering them as the masters of the earth – as they really are – just imagine if they knew that and acted according to it, I think that would be extremely hilarious and funny :applause:, cant wait to see progress here.

Good luck man

W-I-L

07-27-2007, 09:07 AM

hye mate tha`nks for droppijg by mine... your current composition looks great. love the setting very much. night time and contrast of nature and industrial.... adds that extra something t the whole image.... will be keeping an eye n thius

LauJ

07-27-2007, 01:47 PM

Hola Fenando! I like a lot all your last concept!, maybe certanly I would change the moon of position, but the idea is very nice and fun!!!...Suerte!!:thumbsup:

AxelAlonso

07-28-2007, 12:00 AM

Hola Fernando,
I like your style, very fun ideas all of them! I like mostly the flying lizard, the ant and the, wasp, they seem to be a nice way to approach, the challenge, I also like the last composition had the best mood, having said that, I think you juts have to do some experiments with such mood, maybe even adding the castle of the ants in the bg and the queen in her balcony, but just an idea I had while I was watching all your great sketches! Have Fun, and I will be checking for upgrades and supporting the Gang! Jaja! :thumbsup:

shattered-fx

07-28-2007, 05:24 AM

Hi Fernando,

Ideas and pre-viz are coming all together well. cant wait to see the composition.
Keep it coming my friend and Good luck!:thumbsup:

-raffy

MY STRANGE BEHAVIOR (ILLUSTRATION) ENTRY

icedeyes

07-28-2007, 08:36 AM

Hey Fernando,

I really like your ideas, especially the last one but as Reinaldo said, you should work on the composition a bit more... Since its just previz, i am sure you will make it better... keep it up

Ferx

07-28-2007, 11:18 AM

bluemattersoda - Thanks mate ! Yep, you are right, maybe need more open water. Ok I moving the cliffs :D

MoKhatib - Thx for your words man :thumbsup: The ants rulers of the world , perhaps that is a true and not a strange behavior :sad: ..... hahahaha:D ... I continue exploring the idea

good mate.. make it wider.. although i [preffered your other composistion.. the leader was more the centra of attention

Grako

07-29-2007, 06:13 PM

I Agree with W-I-L, the first composition works better than the new one. Keep the good work :buttrock:

icedeyes

07-30-2007, 08:41 AM

hey Fernando,

I think that there are too many elements on the same level (and overlapping too much) to make the composition easily read... So, here is what i would suggest you try...

it seems you want to emphasize the motion of the dragonflies and the gator coming out of the water... you could use a vertical frame... put the gator halfway out of the water (on the right side) and almost retain the position of the surfers... this will still give them the overlaping forms that are needed to define depth but also devide the composition to the main element(foreground surfers) and the middleground threat (gator)...

just an idea... keep it up and keep us posted

Ferx

07-31-2007, 01:07 AM

Thanks George !! :thumbsup: I trying your sugestions. You are right, I need a more solid composition and separte the foreground and midleground. Ok I´m going for the Tequila to take some inspiration... hahahaha :D ... Thanks again man!

OKMER

07-31-2007, 01:19 AM

Hey nice ideas man!Me personally prefered the nocturnal flight as for his strange feeling.
Looking forward how you'll work your last one out.Nice sketches man!
Agree a bit the view could be dynamised a bit by maybe pulling things more into the background and others to the foreground.by playing with your contrast's or blur's.
Maybe a wing that could get out of your canvas or the camera a bit more from a above..
Just some suggestions ofcourse!Keep 'm coming:beer:

SteevieWoo

07-31-2007, 06:05 PM

Hey ferx, I'm so sorry i missed your new post!
The only thing i see missing is an element in the background, be it the castle or any other, it actually could be just an outline with a little moonlight over it, no big detail or anything.

I think that the gator's head could be more in perspective so we could see the inside of the mouth, and more open too, that would make it look more threatening.

This is going good, I'll see you around, and thanks for all!:thumbsup:

Ferx

08-01-2007, 08:52 AM

Remko- Thanks man! Yep, you are right. I need to define my tree planes and creat deep for the composition. :D .... again thanks!!

Gabriel - no problema hahahaha : the moon on the horizon sounds good, and with that i can creat fog, and fog help me to creat deep separating elements !! mmm... maybe works well ! Thanks !

Working with the alligators characters.
I think will be nice the gators take more place in the overall idea with the surfers ants.

mdavid

08-02-2007, 12:51 AM

The alligators are off to a great start. Regarding the composition, I really liked what you had in your first ants-on-dragonflies sketch (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=4533061&postcount=20) with the leading ant right up close. Perhaps you could do that, and have the trailing one even further back where all the alligator action is still happening. Just a suggestion mate. I like your stuff a lot and am looking forward to watching this develop :thumbsup:

AxelAlonso

08-02-2007, 04:01 AM

Hola Fernando,
I miss the other post, but I am back. I like the composition but it feels a bit cropped for, me try to add a much wider space so its better to give the importance to your character’s behavior, also the coco riles are two witch it’s a god number for balance, but maybe try to made one in a more extremely attacking position so they can represent the danger more clearly, not that they don’t but push it a bit more, so it wont let any doubt about it!:)
Keep that imagination working, it will look so great I am sure!:thumbsup:

Ferx

08-02-2007, 05:08 AM

Mark- Thanks man!!. You are right, that was a good studie. Is time to retake. Thanks!! :thumbsup:

Axel - Gracias amigo! you convinced me, definitively the number of crocodiles must be 3 :bounce: Yep I need a more threatening croc. Thanks Axel !!

Grako

08-03-2007, 05:03 AM

Thats a great sketch man!! I liked a lot. The crocks can put a great touch to your idea! :thumbsup:
I hope to see soon more updates !

Jeffparadox

08-04-2007, 08:10 AM

I've been seeing some nice sketches in this thread, waiting for the final concept... Keep it up my friend!

SteevieWoo

08-05-2007, 04:31 AM

Yep the fog will be a great detail, this is getting better everytime........:twisted:
Careful with the croc paws, they look alittle humanlike... they can be a pain in the rear to draw, i can tell....:sad:

Working in the overall composition.
Adds a one more croc, in more threatening attitude (Thx Alex and Gabriel ! ).
I think is a nice composition, and I believe that it can work (I hope ... hahahahah). Maybe I tests another, using the same composition but with industrial elements, perhaps the scene within a drainage : ))

Ferx

08-08-2007, 07:17 AM

Grako - Thanks for the support man! :D

Axel - what can I say?? following your idea, Thanks my friend!! :thumbsup:

Jeffparadox - Really thanks for your words! I really appreciate :)

Gabriel - You are right, I will have myself to turn on the new hunter of crocodiles, until I learn how to draw its claws and paws :D . Thanks mate for your support !!:thumbsup:

ziriguidum

08-08-2007, 06:35 PM

Hi Dude! I really liked your Nocturnal Flight concept. It is very expressive. good luck! :bounce:

Grako

08-09-2007, 07:44 AM

Hi Ferx:

That is a very nice composition. I like the atmposphere that you put in the forest and river, very nice. Really good work mate! :bounce: I want to see the drainage idea! :D I believe can be great:buttrock:

Jeffparadox

08-09-2007, 11:04 AM

Thant's a great composition. nice job! i like the circular effect and the wood in the FG... no critique for you my friend, drawings are vry nice aswell, keep it up :beer:

icedeyes

08-09-2007, 11:16 AM

very nice work so far Fernando... I really like this composition a lot more... you could emphasize scale and depth you could add one of the dragonflies barelly escapping the mouth of a gator... repetition on different scales is a great way to show depth... use your composition and horizon lines to see what the scale of a drtagonfly would be compared to a gaator or maybe just compare it with his eye... just some suggestions... keep it up...

shattered-fx

08-09-2007, 03:37 PM

Good job Ferx! :applause:. The characters feels much more cohesive to each other. Nice work on composition as well. cant wait for the colored version..:)

MY STRANGE BEHAVIOR ENTRY (ILLUSTRATION)

mdavid

08-09-2007, 11:52 PM

I agree with the others - this new composition looks excellent. Really grabs attention :thumbsup: My only concern is that the leading ant/dragonfly is overlapping the crocodile a little bit too much for my preferences, but I'm being very fussy here and it's not really a big concern. Wonderful update!

MartinNielsen

08-10-2007, 07:19 AM

Oh yes!

I totally agree with these nice comments :) Very good work. Those crocodiles look very nasty. :thumbsup:

Ferx

08-10-2007, 08:22 PM

Rodolfo - Thanks man!! Yes, I like much that idea, and I have not left it completely, but the time advances ... :D

HI Fer!!!
Now that you're changing settings you will surely improve the scene a lot! Goood!
The swamp scene looks very good to me, but let's see the drainage one, which I think would match the extreme sport theme better. Great Update!!
If any, I'd say that you have two of the crocodiles heads in a complete front angle, maybe you could turn the middle one's head a little to the right or something. I don't know.....

See you! Have fun!!:beer:

Ferx

08-11-2007, 07:32 AM

Hey Gabriel, really thanks! Again you are right :D for sure i follow your advice!! thanks!!
I'm workin in the drainage... i hope the pre visual be ready for this weekend... :rolleyes:
:beer:

frankitu

08-14-2007, 07:14 PM

very original, sobretodo los instectos! :P
that sketch is great, I would like to see the next steps painting the image.

OKMER

08-15-2007, 12:33 AM

Agree with SteevieWoo for the crocodile heads and with Mdavid for the overlappi,g thing,but hey just being very fussy to me.huhu..this is coming out better and better!Keep 'm coming:beer:

I´m work a lot in the drainage variation for the ant surfers ... hahahah... :D
I wanted to pre visualize the complete atmosphere, to be able to present the idea and compare it against the composition of the marsh. I had to paint enough to be able to have a good idea of this scene. The ants, dragonflys and crocodiles need to be redrawed to improve the perspective and the composition, but being a previsualization I use again everything the elements that already I had (that lazy I am… hahahahaha)

SteevieWoo

08-16-2007, 04:54 AM

Sweet!! this one looks good, the only bad thing I find is that it would have no moon:sad:
No matter which way you go from here, you already have a very solid piece with beautiful elements and design.:buttrock::thumbsup::applause: So..... Go crazy and keep the good stuff coming!!

Ferx

08-16-2007, 07:35 AM

José - Gracias !! :thumbsup: I posted a new one with colour :D Thanks again man!!

Remko - Thanks for your encouragement. Yep, I need to redraw the croc on the middle. In the last update I used a more wide canvas in order to avoid the over lapping :wise: ... :D Thanks again mate !

Gabriel - Really thanks friend !!, you are a great support and a great pressure to make the things better!! :D :beer: Yes, I also miss the moon :sad: ... I believe that I go to make an opening in the ceiling of the drainage ... :twisted: ... :D

Grako

08-16-2007, 08:01 PM

Ferx, that is great and cool:thumbsup: , very nice concept and great details on the painting :applause: Great job! (and is not a bad idea the hole on the ceiling for the moon :D ). Im waiting for more updates! :)

Dehghani

08-16-2007, 09:16 PM

hi fernando.
realy a great job man. i like your idea and your design. you have a great improvment too.
good luck.

Gord-MacDonald

08-16-2007, 10:29 PM

IMHO the latest comp is a bit confusing. I think that there is a general lack of focus - a bit busy. Maybe decide on the most critical characters in the scene, and play down the others. Good work none-the-less!Gord

Jeffparadox

08-16-2007, 11:59 PM

hahahaa, I love your new post buddy. stranger setting and I like it. Maybe you could desaturate the pipes and all a bit - add some grayish dirt to them, and get more color out of the characters instead, that could help to pop the theme out. but i know it's still an early stage, and your composition test is working very good for me.

maybe instead of the moon, you could show light, very far away, at the end of the tunnel, while keeping the rest of the scene pretty dark inside. anyway, just some ideas, and can't wait for more updates.. keep it up!

Ferx

08-17-2007, 10:59 AM

Grako - Thanks a lot my friend! :thumbsup:

Ehsan - Thanks for your kind words, I really appreciate! :)

Gord - Thanks mate! Yep, you are right, I take note of your comment :) Again really thanks!!

Wow! I really like the underground scene a lot. The crocs seem to look especially interesting and fun in that setting. With the composition, one possibility I'm thinking of is to maybe delete the closest croc and that would free up room to make the leading ant/dragonfly bigger and closer and more central for visual clarity and impact. But that really is just my 2c worth and not to be taken all that seriously, because this new setting is looking fantastic :thumbsup: I really like your slightly cartoony look in this too

A little change over the drainage concept. I take out the rocks for the first croc, and put down, more spce for the principal surfer ant. I make a hole on the ceiling for the moon :))
Change a bit the lighting and desaturate the pipes.
(Thanks Gabriel, Jeff, Remko, Gord, Mark, and all!! :))

SteevieWoo

08-18-2007, 05:09 AM

Yep! the bigger guy on fist plane works well, whether you go for the moon or the light at the end of the pipes is going to be moody enough (that mood thing that we all have been bothering you with from the start!!):D:D But I'd say you got it now :thumbsup:

BloodTaster

08-18-2007, 03:30 PM

Very nice ideas you have here Amigo! Keep up!! I will folow you thread

Excellent update. I like the changes you've made with the croc moved down like that :thumbsup:

icedeyes

08-20-2007, 07:38 PM

looking much much better Fernando.. keep us posted

UldFerr

08-21-2007, 01:27 AM

Greetings Fernando! I have to go against everybody and say that I like the scene on the “swamps” better. But it’s just a personal thing. I just fell the first one more “airy” and less busy. Anyway, keep posting and good luck.

Uldison - I appreciate your comment!! :) . I show the sketchs (swamp and drainage) to one of my brothers ( he is my most ferocious critic :D ) and he thinks just as you, he says the swamp comp. is more "cleaner".... and now I am in a crossroad.... :D

elmasfeo

08-21-2007, 09:51 PM

Hey Fer!
maybe you could try the swamp environment, but moving the crocs and ants to a similar position to where they are in your latest pic... I like more how the elements are placed in the new one :thumbsup:
I agree that the moon gives the image a very nice mood, keep up the good work, y suerte!

The girl ant looks very nice... has a certain personality to her... so does the ant leader BUT if you want to make it analogous to the visual paradigm of real people, skate and surf culture demands a certain way of dressing for most of these characters (skaters usually have very baggy pants for example etc)...

I like the way it looks but these were just some ideas that came to my mind that you might or might not want to use...

I´m working arround of the same idea, visualizing different variations. Now I focused also in the ambientación and atmosphere.

Hey Fernando, me gusta esta pintura! I really like the echoed shapes of the moon and the tail of the lizard. I also like the overall scene and the mood lighting.
Nice work.

element5

08-24-2007, 02:30 AM

Hi there, I came over for a look. You have some great concepts going on here....love the surfing ant.... will be keeping watch for updates.

Cheers

mdavid

08-24-2007, 07:25 AM

Excellent ants! The faces and expressions are working beautifully. Great stuff!

SteevieWoo

08-24-2007, 07:36 PM

Oh! the ant chick! i never saw that coming, Good!
Is it just me or you added helmets in the previous sketches? they would fit well on their insect heads, i think:)

MrFreeman

08-25-2007, 08:40 AM

:thumbsup: Great ideas and sketches Fernando

I really loved the mood of the flying lizard at night, but the surfing idea is really cool.

Great characters - I would just work on the lighting for the tunnel environment to make it more dramatic, but I'm sure that will all come along once you've sorted out the characters...

Great work and keep the updates coming :applause:

Thaldir

08-25-2007, 08:19 PM

I cannot say which one of your ideas I like most, Fernando.:thumbsup:

Your ants are full of character and the lizard's flight by night is very poetic, almost like the fulfillement of the dream of a lifetime.

I really hope that, whatever concept you choose for the challenge, the others will be completed too, when you've time.

UldFerr

08-25-2007, 09:01 PM

Hello Fernando!
Thumbs up for your characters design. They look awesome and radical, great work. They remind me of the crazy train surfers from Brazil.http://www.teppertakayamafinearts.com/images3/tpt0221d.jpg

AxelAlonso

08-25-2007, 09:24 PM

Hola Fernando! hey amigo se ven geniales! :thumbsup:
Looking great! All those ants! I love the personalities for sport extreme lovers! As also, I thought the patterns or tattoos in the guy were great idea! Maybe having clothing or outfits it’s a good hint, but also it might get you to far from the mood you are going for! So why not trying the helmets, as Gabriel mentioned already, it does goes more organically together with their anatomy! As play a bit more with the shapes of their core and shoulder so the might hint better the differences of body types! Again as always a suggestion that can put you great imagination on different ideas! I’ll be coming back more! Hope to see more soon!:)

BloodTaster

08-26-2007, 05:45 AM

Nice designs man! I really like the colors and feel of the lizzard scene. about the ants...Maybe you should try a composition that give more importance to the ants, anyway..keep the excelent job:thumbsup:

Ferx

08-27-2007, 04:26 AM

Fernando - Thanks mate! Not yet I discard the idea of the swamp . The next week will work hard to decide the final idea ( I hope ) Again thanks! :thumbsup:

George - Really thanks for your comments! :thumbsup: You are right, I try a new varitions of charcteres with skater dresses and outfits. Again thanks for all of your support my friend

Ramon - Gracias por tus palabras, en verdad son un gran apoyo para mi! Yep, i liked a lot the lizzard with moon and want to finish that image but I dont know if i use that idea for the challenge Again thanks for your encouragement :)

Gabriel - Thanks my friend! Yes, in the previous sketches some of the ants has a helmet. In the character design i took off the helmet because i want a more radical and audacious surfers but I will give an opportunity to the helmet within the design . Thanks again Gabriel ! :beer:

David - Thanks mate for your kind words! :thumbsup: Yes, you are right, for sure i need to work on the lighting for a more dramatic atmosphere! Uhhh i have a lot of work to do with my illustration Again really thanks for your support mate!!

Uldison - Thanks mate!! bloody hell !! that is a really strange behavior!! ... what a crazy guys! Great photo, thanks to share !! and again thanks for your encouragement! :)

Axel - Gracias amigo!! ( ya te extrañabamos por aqui )Yep, for sure I try the helmet suggestion! maybe i can try a radical surfer helmets design The next week is crucial
in order to assemble all the elements; perspective and composition, design of characteres, re-sketch the comp. and tonal study, uhh huuu, a lot of work (and fun hehehe ) Again thanks my friend and thanks for your support! i really appreciate! :beer:

Vinicius - Thanks for your word mate!! Yes , I need to work a little on the overall composition and the story that i want to tell on the image. Again thanks my friend!!:thumbsup:

Grako

08-28-2007, 06:33 AM

Hi Ferx, very nice character designs, the ant lider is great and the girl surfer yet, great stuff man! cant wait for more updates! :thumbsup:

kikomunar

08-28-2007, 08:28 PM

Hi Fernando, I think you have an excellent idea here. I like the one in the sewers because, I think, it's much stranger to find crocs and drangonfly-surfing-ants in that environment. I have a suggestion...

maybe you can show a more manacing crocodile (just one of them in the foreground right behind the surfer ants and the rest of the crocs somewhere in the background) swiftly emerging from the waters with its vicious gaping mouth wide open, ready to devour the startled surfers (flying or surfing just above the water) which then took evasive action to avoid being swallowed. Maybe a little foreshortening will do the trick.

Just a suggestion, what do you think? Overall, you have a kick-ass of an idea. Can't wait to see more!

cheers!

OKMER

08-29-2007, 12:48 AM

Hi Fernando!This starting to work out better and better each time!
Nice character concept's!

My suggestions would be to give back the airy feeling to the pic abit(like mentionned Uldferr) like in the swamps.
Personaly I think the crocodile in the middle maybe isn't necessairy in there.
For me he block's the eye a bit from traveling smoothly through the pic.Without him,the pic will find some breathing parts again,all by keeping the crocodile menace.
Maybe some cool backlights could be nice also to bring in even more atmophere..
Maybe a/some Spectator ant's..
Just some thoughts I had by watching your pic more longly.
And ofcourse just some suggestions.
Indeed overall kickass idea and the pic is getting nicer each time!Keep coming the nice work man!Cheers!!!
PS:secretly me still liking a lot too the night lizard hehe..
Cheers again!

Ferx

08-29-2007, 08:03 AM

Francisco - Thanks mate, your idea is really great !:thumbsup: I think can work really nice and for sure i try your suggestions. I can raise the water level to acomplish that ( mainly the ants surfing at the level of the water with the menacing croc) Again really thanks for your ideas, support and encouragement, my friend! :beer:

Remko - Really Thanks my friend and glad you liked the ants designs!:D , You are right mate, yep, the actual sewer composition looks "saturated" and needs more air for sure, and maybe i has break all the half upper part to gain atmosphere:scream:... or perhaps is time to flip a coin ... surfer ants or flying lizzard hahahaha :D Thanks for all your time and support my friend!! you rock!! I really appreciate that !! :buttrock:

Yamaoka

08-30-2007, 08:01 AM

Yep! the bigger guy on fist plane works well, whether you go for the moon or the light at the end of the pipes is going to be moody enough (that mood thing that we all have been bothering you with from the start!!):D:D But I'd say you got it now :thumbsup:

I totally agee with the lighting suggestion and mood. Since its in a sewer under ground I think it'd be cool to push the grungy-ness of this by making it daaaark and scary you know. keep in mind drop shadows to create cool shadow patterns. Nice work, keep going!

Ferx

08-31-2007, 12:29 AM

Thomas - Thanks mate!! Yes, you are right, i need to work on lighting, and fore sure following your suggestions. Really Thanks for the support !! :thumbsup:

Still working a bit more :)
I think this Background can work nice... and with nice mood : ))

Jeffparadox

09-01-2007, 07:41 AM

Sweet sketch! I like this organized drawing buddy... breaking it down, cleaning it up before you get into it is always nice. Also love the new touch in the style, it's certainly a better thought out solution to the moon problem. can't wait to see the full composition :D

:beer:

SteevieWoo

09-01-2007, 12:12 PM

Wohaaaaaa !! sort of a 'Gotham City sewage system'...the fantasy style is the perfect excuse for it to have a clear domed roof (who other crazy people would build something like that) :D

I really loved this new posts. Only suggestion: as you include the characters on it don't let the moon's reflection get lost in the background, you know.... it's a great element to use.

I think you took that definitive turn that makes a good work become a great one:thumbsup:

damontana

09-01-2007, 06:42 PM

MAn are you an illustration machine or what!, i like nocturnal flight mucho, mucho!
felicitaciones!

AxelAlonso

09-02-2007, 01:54 AM

esta genial! looking fantastic! Fernando, you really nailed for the B.G. I love the mood!:applause: The moon looks really good in there! the water can have so many efects with that light ! love the shapes of the pillars!:)

mdavid

09-02-2007, 10:39 AM

Excellent update. I really like this new art-deco/Gotham City look. It's added a heap of intrigue to what was already a cool idea

Ferx

09-02-2007, 12:06 PM

Jeff - Thanks for your kind words !! :) I hope to make all the composition in the next days. Really thanks for your support and encouragement !!:thumbsup:

Gabriel - Thanks my friend!! I take inspiration with a "tequila" bottle ... hahahhaha :D . I´m taking note of your moon advice, you are right, is a great element, and i thinking to use it for my primary source of light :thumbsup: You rock man!! :buttrock:

Testing a vertical composition for the sewer. I like this image, perhaps works better than the horizontal background ...

C&C are welcome :))

Ferx

09-04-2007, 08:54 AM

Gabriel - I ever have near of me some Tequila hahahaha !! ( and the "rompope" works well hahahaha :D )

Francisco - Thanks for your kind words and all of your encouragement :thumbsup: I'm testing a vertical composition, but i dont know if the suspense stays with the vertical format :sad: I hope yes ... :D

nethken

09-04-2007, 03:35 PM

Hello Fernando!

I like your concept it is good fun! And I am enjoying your exploratory drawings. The most recent image is looking good, I love the perspective, and the composition, definetly a strong image. I wonder how it looks with your characters?

Looking forward to updates!

Pixeltuner

09-04-2007, 07:21 PM

Ah, you're the crocodile guy! Now I know. I like the way your concept has evolved over time, seems like you put a lot of thought and study in it. I'm curious to see how it all will fit together :)

Jeffparadox

09-04-2007, 08:27 PM

Sweeet! This composition rocks! Also, you'll have double light spots in the image which is awesome: The moon, and the light at the end of the tunnel... This will give you flexibility for the color of the rim lights (warm yellow, and blueish white maybe), and for the general atmosphere. In fact I want to see the rim lights on those arches already :D Anyway, nice update, and here is the "but..."

Considering your viewpoint, a little easy adjustment could strenghten that perspective a lot: I'll assume all of the buildings are on one separate layer, I'd try to transform them - while in transfer mode I'd shorten the top edge of the transfer bounding box and hit enter, thus the buildings as a whole are looking more triangular now, getting smaller towards the sky. Just an idea to play with..

Keep it up dude!

Ferx

09-05-2007, 01:31 AM

Kenneth - Thanks for your kind words!:) I very pleased with the last composition for the background, and hope the "radical surfer ants" match well with it :D

Lennart - Thanks mate! hahahahaha the cocrodile guy... hahahaha :D I´m thinking to change my nickname to that!! :D and you have given an idea to me! :thumbsup: thanks mate!!

Jeff - I really appreciate your words my friend!!:) I´m glad you liked the vertical composition. You are totally right about of the buildings perspective, but i was in a hurry to present the new composition that leaves that "little detail" for later :D .. but I´m working in that right now :thumbsup: Yes, the mix of the moon light and artificial light sources can be a nice solution for all atmosphere on the scene (I´m taking notes about your comments) Again thanks my friend, you rock !! :buttrock:

SteevieWoo

09-05-2007, 05:16 AM

What, you get high on rompope? thats quite a stunt! no wonder you dream of alligators:D

This new canvas might do the trick for giving you more space to work on, all depends on how it looks with the characters on it!

Thinking in a new idea. Perhaps the surfer ants dont match well with the last background and need an alternating plan :D
The idea was to try to maintain the style art decó of the background (and the crocs :D ) to obtain an integrated concept :D

Fantastic updates. I missed out on your recent stuff and really like what you've been up to. That vertical composition is really cool. I especially like those buildings. The glamorous woman handing out fish to the crocs is delightfully strange behavior too and I agree that it fits the dark art-deco style of the scene. Excellent stuff :thumbsup:

edit: One more thing, I really like the design of your art deco boat

Ramon

09-07-2007, 12:59 AM

Wow, nice man. You sure are putting a lot of work into this competition!
I like the ant's pilot outfit LOL.:scream: Also like the painted clouds in the city scape. It's lit very nicely from the moon.
Keep'em coming!:thumbsup:

SteevieWoo

09-07-2007, 05:16 AM

HAW! you never rest do you?:D I say go wherever it leads you as long as you still like it the best. there's no way to foresee what you'll come up with next! I like that of you!!:beer:

AxelAlonso

09-07-2007, 07:25 AM

Fernando! Vas super!:thumbsup: This is going to the perfect direction! I love the art deco style! And the new character fits very well with the world you are presenting now!... I will like to see a bit more of the exploration of the character, since she does seem “femme fatale”, witch is great though, and maybe that's why I am not so surprise still about feeding the alligators! But I love the idea no less though!

The composition it’s great! Love the mood and the way colors are developing it ! Great work!:):eek:

blakbird

09-07-2007, 08:49 PM

Hey Fernando, you have as much concepts as me ha? :)

Anyway, both of us have chosen one from those at least it seems, anyway, concept drawing style is not bad also. But be in hurry, there is not much time left. :bounce:

Ferx

09-08-2007, 01:14 AM

Jeff - Really thanks my friend! you are a great support for me and i ever appreciate your comments and suggestions, and I´m really glad that you like this turn on the concept Thanks!! :beer:
Mark - Thanks buddy for your kind words, I´m think this is the last concept and work in it for right now (its already just a short time, but i have a great fun exploring the concepts :D ) Thanks for your encouragement my friend

Gabriel - hahahaha pu... me estoy acostando a las 3 de la mañana... hahahaha espero esto no me pase factura hahahaha Thanks my friend. I´m thinking seriously if i not be a sort of zombie... hahahahaha :D I hope this be the last concept, i need to pressure the throttle. Thanks again man, thankls for all your time and comments ! :beer:

Axel - Gracias amigo. Yes, you are right about the "femme fatale" character design, I´m try to make a exploration for this character :D Thanks for all of your support and encouragement ( y algun día tendremos que echarnos unas "chelas" con Gabriel, eh? ) :beer:

Levent - Nice to see you here!! Thanks mate!! You are totally right.
I already makes a decision, now to work :D

I like a lot the change, more mature concept, really great and strange jeje, the background is really clean i like very much, like a batman series of tv but better, and amazing weather, i can feel, jeje, cuando te tomes unas frias (coronas talvez aunque son muy suaves) drink one for me buey!!!.

GA.

icedeyes

09-09-2007, 01:11 AM

Hey Fernando,
The new concept looks cool... i like the second (large one) sketch of her mostly because of the fish... keeping the little finger extended is a nice idea too... keep us posted

Jeffparadox

09-09-2007, 02:04 AM

Hi Fernando, imho: I think the lady in your first drawing looks the best, she had a really pretty face, and a smokin body ;) I think all it needs is her belly in a little more of a U shape, while keeping the rest of her pretty much the same. Unless you'll make 20 more sketches of her :D

keep it up dude!

musi

09-09-2007, 08:03 AM

Hey Fernando,

It's interesting to see how your idea have been evolving! Very nice work :thumbsup:
I like very much your environment design, how you light it and mood it has!

From your pose research I like the best the little lady drawn in blue in lower right corner. She has a nice reaching pose of somebody, who really don't want to fell over board and at the same time wants to reach as far as possible. And add to her that extended little finger too!

Very nice work indeed!

cabertevon

09-09-2007, 10:18 AM

Gotcha. Wow, seems like your creative wits is to set to maximum.

Me like the ant and lizard idea but using objects found around their habitant instead of hi-tech devices. ;)

Good luck.

soapy

09-09-2007, 09:06 PM

Hey nice work Ferx. You have a lot of great possibilities here. I am looking forward to seeing which way you go and how it all develops. Go man, go.

UldFerr

09-10-2007, 12:01 AM

Fernando, I think you are absolutely right, the new environment you created doesn’t work with the surfers and the lady idea it’s very promising. Did you considered use something a little darker then the fishes? A mean, human body parts, for example. I don’t know, it might look too gory, and it’s just an example.

Ferx

09-10-2007, 08:07 AM

Gustavo - Gracias amigo!! Yep, the new BG is less busy but more dramatic. For the final version i will try to put a more art deco touch on buildings :D ( y por supuesto me echaré , no una, sino varias frías a tu salud!!)

George - Thanks friend! I cant resist draw a scared fish with a totally crazy girl , hahahahah :D again thanks for your support and encouragement !!

Jeff - Thanks my friend!! Yes you are right, i need a bit sophisticated girl , more art decó girl. Working in that !! ( I´m sending the girl to a gym for no use a "U" shape belly :D ) Again thanks for your time, suggestions, and encouragement, I really appreciate that my friend!! :beer:

Sasha - Thanks for your really kind words ! I´m glad you liked the background enviroment. About the pose i agree with you, that pose it gives the sensation of the girl in a boat and she not wanted to fall while she tries to give a fish to the crocs. Thanks again for your kind words Sasha :)

Cabertevon - Thanks mate! Maybe that is my problem, I cant focus in one and only one idea, and I leave my mind continues running :D I´m still loving the ants with flying lizzards. Again really thanks !!

Soapy - Thanks buddy!! Yes, the time still running and I still sketching concepts hahaha
Thanks for your words and encouragement mate!! :D

Uldison - Thanks friend!
A human parts... sounds good (perhaps her husband on nice pieces to a great snak for the crocs :twisted: ) mmmm yes really gory :D I am in a true dilemma, the time continues advancing and I do not clear my concept, hahahahah :D . Thanks again for your words and suggestions my friend !!

Jassar

09-10-2007, 08:55 AM

Hey Ferx, funny idea man! hurry up I wanna see this one finished :thumbsup:

Cheers

blakbird

09-10-2007, 09:41 AM

Left row in the middle seems realistic as the pose

AxelAlonso

09-11-2007, 12:07 AM

Hola Fer!
Nice study! :) Well so far I rather for the action pose, right bottom corner, and for the face and personality the must cute one, so the middle one, were you can see a bit more of madness in cuteness, were I think sells well the idea of “strange”. Hope your ideas are going good! And Keep working its going great!:D

Jassar - Thanks mate!! Yes, I need to hurry !! (ok, I hope more coffee help me to stay more hours in the night :D )

Levent - Thanks for your suggestion ! Cheers mate!! :beer:

Axel - Gracias amigo!! I trying to put all my ideas and concepts in order, and choose the final concept. I´m thinking in a more dark scene, a bit like a "film noir"... bloody hell, i need to stop my mind and make my call :D Gracias Axel !! :beer:

Ok, I put a futuristic note with a robot butler but trying to maintain the retro and postmodern style :D
and change the fish for a scorpion... a bit more strange... i dont know :D

icedeyes

09-11-2007, 05:53 PM

the last sketch is very good but i dont really understand why she would feed scorpions to gators... stange behaviour huh?:scream: I like the idea.... keep us posted

octopus7

09-11-2007, 10:32 PM

This is a really unique idea! looking forward to seeing it finished..best of luck!
BTW thanks for commenting on my work as it's appreciated:)

Ferx

09-13-2007, 07:09 PM

George - Thanks friend ! hahahahaha , yes the scorpion snak is a bit strange touch for the scene, but I have in mind an other variation more.... hahhahahah, no, no... I´m working now in the finish line art and composition. Again, thanks mate!! :beer:

Jason - Thanks mate!! I glad you liked the idea ! For sure ( i hope :rolleyes: ) I will finish this concept :D

elmasfeo

09-13-2007, 09:54 PM

I will say I am also liking this new theme more than the surfing ants! the "batman-style" background looks amazing, very good work there!
maybe I would make the scorpion a bit smaller, it looks a bit not natural... the robot butcher looks great

:beer:

mdavid

09-14-2007, 11:53 AM

Excellent update. I also thought the scorpion was a bit too big (at first glance I thought it was a lobster) but it's a great idea and delightfully strange. Keep up the great work buddy

guero

09-14-2007, 12:46 PM

Hi Fernando, are you sure you want to be changing your idea every week that will slow you down like hell. What you need to do is to come up with ideas and pick one that is the most appropriate for this contest then analyze it more. All this should be done before you even lay down a pencil line otherwise you will never finish a single piece, that would be a shame.
Well good luck and can't wait for some updates.

Jeffparadox

09-14-2007, 07:45 PM

Hi Fernando,

I think this sketch works great, little adjustments people mentioned can be done easily in PS during painting.

Like guero, I'm a little worried that you won't be able to get the paint job you want by the end of the challenge. My opinion is your concept have evolved greatly, and your sketches are more than enough to start painting. My honest opinion is your piece is one of the few that depicts actually a "strange behaviour"... I think I'd spend the rest of my time concentrating on the painting, and forming the strong strange story behind your image in my head, if I were you. that's my 2c buddy, keep it up!!!

Ferx

09-15-2007, 09:41 AM

Fernando - Thanks mate!! You are right, that scorpion is really a heavy weight hahahaha. Ok, I 'm putting it to diet and reducing the size :) Thanks again my friend!!

Mark - Thanks my friend! Yep, seeing now the sketch, that big scorpion is confused easily with a lobster, totally agree with you. Again thanks for your support :thumbsup:

Jeff - Thanks friend!! you are ever honest and direct, and i like that of you :) You are totally right and your suggestion is great, I'm putting now my sketchbook on my head :D and taking the brushes and the canvas ! Thanks my friend, you rock !! :beer:

Finally the line art :)
I make a basic architectonic forms to have a good reference in the painting step (and my sketchbook on my head... Jeff´s great suggestion :D )

Jeffparadox

09-15-2007, 09:39 PM

Great great great line art. Very clear and strong style you've captured in this, congrats man! I still think you should give a shot to that mouse-eye perspective I was describing to the city if you want, just to see how it'd look. curious about the full composition, waiting impatiently :D

mdavid

09-16-2007, 05:13 AM

Yes! I really like your architectural designs - they are perfect for the scene and add real value to the scene. Definitely no crits from me. Excellent stuff buddy :thumbsup:

unf0rg1v3n

09-16-2007, 10:00 AM

hola querido hermano del sur - the gazillions of concepts youve posted are looking good and it looks like youre coming to an idea. The line work on the last image you posted is nice and tight. The only comment would be similar to guero's which is to focus on one idea and develop it because we only got about a month left..... on that note, I gotta get back to work.....

Jassar

09-16-2007, 11:05 AM

Yes, very cool line work indeed :thumbsup:

Ferx

09-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Jeff - Thanks my friend!!. In the final composition (that i post after this post :D ) I used your suggestion of a more extreme perspective for the cityscape and think works really nice, with a more dramatic touch for the buildings. I would really like to know your opinion for that :) (and for the all composition) Thanks in advance my friend !! :beer:

Mark - Thanks for your encouragment and support! you rock my friend!! :buttrock: I hope that at least will be a good matte painting ... :rolleyes: ..... hahahahha :D

Juan Pablo - Muchas gracias mi hermano del norte ! :D For sure you are totally right,
I already made a decision for the final concept, finally .... hahahaha ...
and now i need to work hard to finish it in time. Again really thanks for your kind words ( and liked the "gazillions" term...... hahahahahahaha :D )

this is the line art for the final composition on the concept (perhaps the scorpion is a bit little and I'm thinking about changing it by a rat (a sewer rat, of course :D )

Thaldir

09-16-2007, 03:18 PM

Love your line art for this, and the idea as well (well, really I loved each and every one of them :)).

Actually I was thinking about the scorpion / lobster thing: what would be wrong in having the lady feed lobsters to the crocodiles? She looks high-class enough to be wanting to provide them with a gourmet dinner...unless, of course you wanted to play on the contrast 'lady vs scary / repellent creature'.

Also what about some floating candles in the sewers to add to the ' candlelight dinner' feel? (feel free to ignore, of course, or just tell me to shut up :) ;) ).

soapy

09-16-2007, 04:06 PM

I agree with the rest of these guys, nice line art. Maybe she could be feeding those crocs something really expensive like lobsters or steak. Or the waiter guy could have a mini buffet of different goodies from which she is picking... Time to get moving on!

Jeffparadox

09-16-2007, 05:06 PM

Hi Ferx,

i made a quick drawing to show, you almost have it. what you have now is like (a). I was trying to describe something more like (b) Sorry about the drawings, I had make them in windows paint with mouse :D

http://www.jefftreves.com/StrangeBehaviour/city.jpg

SteevieWoo

09-17-2007, 05:09 AM

I'm going to bed a 2:00 AM and I'm falling apart already (and I have noticed that you're still running by that time) well, we will laugh about this some day.........

Curious thing at first glance I believed that was a lobster. :)And I actually see it like this is the lady's personal gator-pool for any kind of naughty purposes, so she might as well invest in some more classy food for them. Anyway what I was going to say is that I don't think a rat would work so well.

Maybe a kitty....
Just kidding, please don't do that!

Hay nos vemos y ojala aguantemos......

Ferx

09-17-2007, 06:27 AM

Tiziano - Really thanks my friend!! You are totally right, and the gourmet food is a nice suggestion, and i'm thinking to follow that way, and the canndles are a clever idea, for sure i will try that ( or something like chinese or japanese floating lamps with a art deco touch ) Again really thanks for your great suggestions my friend ! (and please continues talking :D you have a great imagination) :beer:

Soapy - Thanks mate !! the buffet idea is really nice, and fit well with the gourmet food and candles. Thanks for your support buddy!! :thumbsup:

Jeff - True thanks my friend! and thanks for your time, you rock !!:buttrock: . Ok. I get the point (i hope :D ) You are right, I need a three points perspective for the buildings (like a camera lens) I make some tests and use a little distorsion to obtain the height vanish point. I dont forced to much the perspective, because i worried about all that vertical lines of the cityscape guide the eyes on a strong way to the upper part of the canvas and to the moon. Again I post the test after this post :D Really thanks for your help and support, I appreciate so much!! :beer:

A correction for the buildings perspective (thx Jeff to point that :))
I hope in the next update can show the final menu for the crocs! :D

camel3d

09-17-2007, 09:47 PM

hi! I love the flies carring the lizard...
I thik the lizard shoud habe a little bit more 3D-effect..seemst du be a little bit flat. But the flies are very very nice.
I´ll be back to see the next steps!!

musi

09-18-2007, 08:51 AM

Hey Fernando,

It's a nice progress, it's good to see elements coming together. :thumbsup:
I liked a look of the human servant, he had that british snobbishness in him of one being proud of serving his lady. Although I like very much the robot too, but it feels like he has lost some of that expressiveness... If you could get his face design to resemble a little of that of the previous servant's expression, and may be add some accessories to him, like a butterfly tie and white gloves on hands, or a towel hanging over arm?
Just an idea :)
And I liked Tiziano's idea of candle lights...

Keep going!

MartinNielsen

09-18-2007, 10:51 AM

Lubster for dinner? What luxury for those crocodiles... But it looks like she has to be careful not to end being the dinner herself.

Fine progress :thumbsup:

Russell-Nash

09-18-2007, 03:34 PM

Hey, that's a cool entry. I really like to robo servant. :thumbsup:

Good luck with the challenge.

Torsten

Jassar

09-18-2007, 08:33 PM

Nice Fernando! I like the composition :)
Also I have a note, I feel the womans neck a little shifted to her right ( our left! ), if you could just move it a bit to our right ( her left ) to correct this......

Cheers!

mdavid

09-19-2007, 02:53 AM

It's looking great. I like the subtle change to the perspective on the buildings.

My only concern (but it's not a big concern) is that the hand holding the scorpion is right in front of the cover on robot's platter and robot's hand. But apart from that minor thing I reckon it's all looking excellent :thumbsup:

I love what you have done for the buildings and very nice shapes, and contours for the mood, I like the ship design as well, as for the characters, I really like how all look together they do blend with all your composition as you like them to be, and I love the idea of feeding them an scorpion or is it a lobster? Oh well! At least we know she does like spoiling those cute little pets, well at least for her, Good Work! :thumbsup:

Ferx

09-22-2007, 05:58 AM

Maciej - really thanks for your kind words mate! I hope, after this challange, finish that concept, and i´m taking note about your suggestion for that image. Again thanks!! :thumbsup:

Sasha - really thanks for your visit !! :) You are totally right about the butler, perhaps i make the two versions, the human and the robot butler (and i put the details that you suggest me :thumbsup: ) Again thanks for your support and encouragement!

Martin - Thanks mate!! hahahhahah if the girl fall in the water surely that be a truely luxury dinner for the crocs! :D (uhhh is not a bad idea.... mmmm... the robo butler pushing the girl to water.... hahahahaha..... i´m insane.... hahahaha:D ) Again thanks my friend !!

Jassar - Thanks for your support my friend! Yep, you are right , and i need correct the girl´s neck, thanks to point that mate!! :thumbsup:

Mark - Thanks friend!! I really appreciate your words !! Yes, I dont like that overlap, you are right, I´m working to correct that . Again thanks Mark for your great support !! :beer:

Working in the windows for the buildings.
I decided to put the first all windows, later to detail the buildings, believe that thus it will be a little easier since the design of windows will give me the guide for the detail on the structures. :D

Jassar

09-27-2007, 02:16 PM

I like your pallete, it kinda reminds me of batman!Good luck.

Ferx

09-27-2007, 07:34 PM

Vinicius - Thanks mate!! I hope can found that changes here and there :D I´m glad you liked the whole composition, and thanks again for your encouragement my friend! Cheers!! :beer:

Jassar - Really thanks for all of your support and encouragement !! Yep, a bit dark city ( I ever liked that dark city scenes, like in the first Batman's film and "The Crow" film (first part):D ) Again really thanks my friend!! :beer:

varma

09-27-2007, 08:55 PM

Hei Fernando!
Great looking perspective and camera angle! The Idea of your concept is really good and
fits perfectly under "Strange B"!
Good luck!
:thumbsup:

Jeffparadox

09-27-2007, 09:02 PM

Alright!!! my fellow painter ferx got into the mood at last :D From now on all we are gonna see is eye candy, I can tell. great choices with your light sources dude! They'll definitely make you happy during painting. I'm digging the city lights and your water already, can't wait to see more, keep rockin and rock fast! Cause I want you to create an increadible piece, and I'm sure you will! :beer:

p.s. city perspective looks great!

nwiz25

09-28-2007, 04:01 AM

yup yup im with Jeff! visual eye candy i must say! very good choice of colours bro! :p .. the night scene really works here! :eek:

as for the water .. have you used a plugin called FLOOD ? it will reflect everything! and plus with your creativity .. you can do much more! :twisted: .. check it out dude! hope it helps ya!

there are more plugins on flamingpear will surely be of help in some way or the other! :P

good luck to you bro! :thumbsup: have fun! :bounce:

SteevieWoo

09-28-2007, 05:39 AM

well it worked well!! you have neat looking skycrappers already, they glow so pretty.:D I'd say that really saved you some time, and I like the patterns a lot, I always have trouble trying to make buidings look like real life designs instead of a bunch of squares................What about the front one?

Such a nice night scene, This calls for some Blues...:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The windows design for buildings was finished and now i'm starting to detailing the buildings. I dont have much time, no time for a gray tonal value for the buildings. I make a simple gray contrast in order to have a deep guide when painting the cityscape, and start from far buildings to near, and in that way i go to increasing the contrast and details. I have a little advantage with the night and moon light, i can work on blue tones for the buildings, and the lights of windows and other objects, they will put the colour notes and the secondary lighting for the scene :D

Jeffparadox

09-29-2007, 04:37 PM

This looks great man! So beautiful patterns, i got lost in the city while looking the picture... This image has a very strong style, now it's being revealed with the paint too. You could also try dropping the contrast just a little towards the top of the buildings, with a feathered mask. That could create some more atmospheric perspective between the ground level and the top of the buildings. just an idea anyway.. nice work!!! :beer:

Jassar

09-29-2007, 04:40 PM

Hey Ferx, looks amazing! can you tell me how you did the windows? I was never able to make them this good :scream:

soapy

09-29-2007, 04:40 PM

Nice work Ferx, that background is really nice. Bring it on!

mdavid

09-30-2007, 12:37 AM

It's coming along beautifully. The scene is looking wonderful - atmospheric and moody and interesting. I was pleased to see you giving yourself a bit of a promo in the building lights too. Excellent stuff :thumbsup:

elmasfeo

09-30-2007, 12:04 PM

waaaow!! amazing background Fer! great great job, all those little windows....

maybe you can turn the light from some of the windows off... they are spending a lot of electricity in this city, and nobody sleeps at night hahaha! no wonder they go all mad and go to feed the crocodiles... :twisted: :D

the panel with your name looks great btw, and it's a new and interesting way to add your signature, hehe

Ferx

10-02-2007, 07:36 PM

Jeff - Thanks my friend, I'm very glad that you liked the city. Your suggestion is really nice to gain deep in the background , and i follow for sure :thumbsup: Again thanks for all your time and help ! ( I have a large debt with you :) ) :beer:

Jassar - Thanks mate!!. For the windows i make patterns with square brushes on photoshop and put the patterns on the buildings using Transform/ distort and perspective. For the cilindric forms i use transform / warp over the patterns. :)

This is going very COOL! love the style, the drawing and the painting its blending perfectly! the buildings are fantastic! I want to se cat woman jumping from one of those high ones! hahaha jk.:)
The shapes and the source of light it very inviting, I like the whole concept of it! Maybe you will have some time to expend in how exactly you want that water to glow and all those reflections to work more at your favour, but you are going perfectly well! The moon it’s so shiny and pretty, maybe that’s why there’s some weirdo rich woman feeding alligators! Great post!:thumbsup:

Finishing buildings and adjusting lights and windows. This is the basic city. The water and reflects are only a temporary previz. I need to work now on the sewer texture and colour.. the time is running fast :D

musi

10-04-2007, 08:10 AM

Like very much where you lead this one :thumbsup:!

No comments from me this time, just looking for more :)

Russell-Nash

10-04-2007, 06:16 PM

Background is looking amazing. :thumbsup:
Way to go,

Torsten

soapy

10-04-2007, 07:32 PM

Really nice! I like the colours. One thing to note, the moon usually throws the biggest reflection on the water, often a big blinding strip of light. Great work, move fast on the rest!

mdavid

10-05-2007, 12:35 AM

Those buildings look fantastic. Cool update. I'm wondering if the coloured beams of light radiating out from the buildings are a bit 'solid' - if it's possible to reduce their opacity I'd be tempted to do that, to make them a bit more subtle. But overall your city looks amazing :thumbsup:

Jeffparadox

10-05-2007, 01:51 AM

I think at the end you'll be the one who put the most hours to his work. I don't remember you going any vacations or complaining about your day job :D, you just keep us posted man! And that alone tells how far you'll go; ok, ehough kissyness, here is my 2c buddy: :D

The shape of the light beams starts thin, gets thicker, and ends thin again, making them kind of look like the fire that comes out of a lighter. Also because, they have a very small fall-off, and a brighter area in the middle. A good way to handle them for me is to make cone shaped masks with NO feather, and very long - going out of screen. Then using the gradient tool with a very small opacity level many times, by pulling it from the light-source to the end of the mask, sometimes longer sometimes shorter. What you are trying to achieve is a very soft, homogenious, and long fall-off, so soft that we wont be able to see where light actually ends. then you deselect your mask, and using the blur tool with about 50% strength and with a wide soft brush, you start blurring the side edges of your cone starting from where the light ends, going towards the light source. Now, you are trying to achieve another very soft fall-off in the blurriness on the edges of your light beam, edges being pretty crisp around the light source - getting blurrier as they get away from the light source. Don't worry about the opacity, but worry about the smoothness of the fall-off, when you get these two fall-offs very smoothly on a separate layer, you can always duplicate that layer or drop it's opacity to adjust the final look, while playing with diffeent colors (Hue/Saturation) and blending modes (SoftLight/HardLight etc...)

The low-contrast you did on top of the buildings added a lot to your lighting I think, it works nicely. Maybe a few thin and faint horizontal clouds, like the ones in your sky, overlapping the BG buildings at the top could push them even further away, thus increasing the impact of your atmospheric perspective.

Lastly, without touching the soft blue light that's already there, I'd add a secondary harsh rim light to the right side of the big/front building...

keep on rocking man! all those little bitty colorful lights, it's like a circus :beer:

Ferx

10-05-2007, 06:40 PM

Sasha - really thanks for your visit, I'm pleased you like it ! :)

Torsten - Thanks mate !! ( i need to work more fast !! hahahahah... but at the end of this challange a 2 liters tequila bottle, 36 cold beers and a sunny beach -with a lot of beautiful chicks, i hope - are waiting for me!! :D )

Soapy - Thanks buddy !! Yes, you are right, and i´m taking note on your suggestion, I´m work in the final reflections when all the elements are shaded. Again thanks for your kind word and the encouragement :beer:

Mark - Thanks my friend !! Yes the light beams need a bit, no, no, a great adjust!... hahahaha. I´m working on them trying the great jeff´s mini tutorial that he kindly wrote. Thanks again my friend for your great support !! :beer:

Jeff - how can i say ? I dont have words to thanks all your help (and all of your nice and funny comments:D ) I´m really honored my friend. Thanks for your light beams tutorial (that are no 2 cnts. are 2 dlls.!! :D ) , its great and i´m trying now and the new beams looks sweet!, and surely i´m follow the rim light for the principal building and the clouds on the top of the BG buildings. Jeff, you rock my friend !! :buttrock: :beer:

A little update with the light beams adjust with Jeff great suggestions (thx mate!!) :)

AxelAlonso

10-05-2007, 07:48 PM

Hola Fer!:)
Wow! You are doing it right! I think the reflections are wicked! ...although maybe the little details of the structure edge might not be that clear in the water, since there will be also some movement from your boat, the light looks great in those buildings!:thumbsup: And LOVE the cat! And it’s a great directional point towards your characters. You’re going great! Keep working hard!:arteest:

Hiun

10-05-2007, 07:54 PM

Very nice progression Ferx, loving the structure and richness of the city :) Good job on adjusting the lights, and that cat is a sweet little detail. I await more posts :thumbsup: Happy creating!:bounce:

Jeffparadox

10-05-2007, 08:15 PM

hi ferx, your light beams are on the right track buddy! now, I'd first blur their edges a good amount where they get fainter at the top, and keep their edges as they are where the beams are brightest by the building. Also I can see them going into the very top arc, and stopping there. So, I'd fade them away a little earlier, so that they don't reach all the way to the very top arc, instead, they end somewhere between the very top arc and the 2nd top arc. but it's almost there, very subtle adjustments needed! keep it up bro!

Jassar

10-05-2007, 08:35 PM

Wow man! this image is getting better and better! keep going :eek:

mdavid

10-06-2007, 10:43 PM

Cool update. The background looks like a living city now. The cat is an elegant touch too. Keep going buddy - it's coming along brilliantly :thumbsup:

OKMER

10-06-2007, 11:10 PM

HEy Ferx!!Hi,been a while and happy to be back here in ya thread!!So much progression in your thread man!!!Getting better each time!Love where you're heading.
My only comment would be that the sky could get even more deepness if the clouds get some more light from under.With some more menacing clouds just above us.
Are you gonna work out more reflections on the water?
One more cheers!Great work Buddy!!!
:beer:
:beer:

Ferx

10-08-2007, 03:02 AM

Axel - Thanks my friend !! You are right about the reflections (and i'm taking note of your suggestions ) I think the reflections part will be the last that I will paint, with the all elements on place and glad you liked the cat ( I cant resist to put one on the arcs :D ) Again thanks for tour great support my friend!! :beer:

Mark - Thanks my friend !! your words are always a great encouragement for me and your work is an inspiration to keep me in the way my friend!! Cheers!! :beer:

Remko - Mr. Remko: I'm really glad that you returned to the challenge:) Like Mark´s work, yours are a great inspiration for me and for stay in tune with "fearless painting" :D . And your suggestion for the clouds is cool !! Thanks again my friend for your support !! :beer:

BloodTaster

10-08-2007, 03:48 AM

The painting its coming along really great! keep it up!

SteevieWoo

10-08-2007, 07:05 AM

Wow what a grat splash of moonlight on the water, It will look amazing once the boat and gators project their sahdow on it...
I liked a lot the lights and the yellowish glare at the bottom of the buildings, great touch!!

Siguele asi... ya casi llegamos.........:surprised

MartinNielsen

10-08-2007, 10:06 AM

Oh yes! You could really do magic with the moonlighting here. I like moonlight. :love:

guterrez

10-08-2007, 10:38 AM

hey Ferx, the buildings in the bg are turning out great...I have always problems when I do such city scapes so thx for explaining how you did it ;)
but hope you don`t forget about the most important thing before you run out of time: the foreground! ;p

cheers,
Mathias

musi

10-08-2007, 11:59 AM

Oh, you have a kitty on one of the arches! Nice detail!
I like that the lower part of the city looks warmer then upper part...
:thumbsup:

Korendo

10-08-2007, 03:30 PM

Greetings Ferx,

Great work. Can’t wait to see the figures. Though I miss the insects (I just like most bugs except parasites).

Advertisement: Sewer Catering and Pest Control

FYI - One Elvis plumber has worked near that section of sewer.

UldFerr

10-09-2007, 01:30 AM

Greetings Fernando,
everything are looking good, specially those buildings, they look fantastic.
Keep the good work my friend.

kikomunar

10-09-2007, 07:41 PM

I like the cat on the arch, it adds to the tension. You did a great job on the water surface, it gives me that eering feeling and I can't wait to see crocs swimming on it and creating some ripples.

My suggestion is to create some fog starting from the bottom of the buildings in the background and gradually thinning towards the top to give it some more depth.

Overall it's looking great! Nice work, my friend!

nwiz25

10-09-2007, 09:46 PM

hello my dear friend! :p love your night scene a lot! very well done with the illumination and the kitty cat over there! hehe .. he's really inviting us into the night! :eek:
even the rays are pretty cool too! can't wait to see the rest of it! :bounce:good work buddy! :thumbsup:

Martin - Thanks buddy!! Yes the moon light has a special and magic mood for sure and i hope catch that atmosphere on the painting :rolleyes: .... :D

Mathias - Thanks mate!! I really appreciate your words!! and you are totally right about the foreground :D i need to put extra speed on this !! Again really thanks for your encouragement !!

Sasha - Really thanks!! your words are ever a great encouragement for me and your beautiful work an inspiration , thanks Sasha!! :)

Ralph - Thanks a lot mate!! great comment hahahahahahaha.... The Elvis Plumbers are in the sewer?? Bloody hell i need warning to the crocs if they dont want to be the next snack of that savage guys... hahahahaha :D

Uldison - Thanks my friend !! I´m glad you liked the buildings and really glad that you come back on the challenge! Again Thanks for your support my friend ! :)

Working now on the sewer. I made a basic colour work on it, to have a reference when lighting, again because no time for gray tonals. Like building windows i´m trying to gain time with colour on place. The colours are not much saturated, for the nigth atmosphere, and only some oclussions and basic shadows and no much contrast. The columns and archs are not finished on colour. I added too some details and textures. From now on i paint (and lighting) feeling the atmosphere of the city ... I hope that it works... :D

mdavid

10-10-2007, 12:05 PM

It's fantastic. I love the textured concrete and the bits of moss and rust. This looks like you're on your way to a brilliant final. Keep it going buddy

AxelAlonso

10-10-2007, 06:43 PM

Hey Fer, The hard work it’s definitely showing up! Love the texture you are going and the green stuff its perfect! All the corrosion in the pipes are really cool too, :thumbsup: it’s a fact you will end up doing something fantastic! The sculptures are going to look great with all that crazy light you got! And keep working with all that magic in your painting!

Hey those textures are looking awesome man! there's nothing i can critique about your progress. So i just lift my glass :beer: You gotta run fast though, I'd say start working on the characters along with your bg now, try to evolve both at the same time. Or it might get confusing once you've got the bg almost done, and start painting the characters afterwards.

Another suggestion from me is try not to make any composition decisions anymore, that has to stop at some point until you're done painting what you got already. this is the whole point of the pre-vis and sketching... I really liked the cat btw, but if I were you, I'd avoid introducing other new things to the scene, unless you have everything in your line-art already painted.

these are helpful things i discovered, and they work for me. Though, please feel free to ignore since everyone's experience is different, you know...

hope i'm not panicing you or something :) rock on dude!!!

Korendo

10-11-2007, 02:53 AM

Ditto on Jeff'paradox's comments

plasteredcat

10-11-2007, 08:36 AM

This is coming together quite nicely, Fernando, but hurry up man! No long 'til it's closed! Very nice and methodic work nevertheless, good stuff here!:thumbsup:

Ferx

10-12-2007, 09:35 AM

Mark - Really thanks my friend. I´m glad you liked the textures, I´m trying to take care on all details in order to match your awesome hippynaut space ship ! :) Again, thanks for your great support and encouragement !! :beer:

Jeff - Thanks my friend!! Again you are totally right. I´m working for right now on the composition and characters like they are on the line art. I´m agree with your suggestion, and i´m following it. Again, thanks! Your support has been an invaluable help! :beer:

I`m curious how this one turns out; the texture on the wall looks great, the reflections on the water are a bit blurry right now but I guess you`ll work that out later
I have to agree with Jeffp., put all the elements together and show us some focus points :beer:

This is the first lighting pass on the sewer, and for now i´m stop painting the background (enough for work now on the foreground :D) and focus on the main characteres.

Jassar

10-12-2007, 10:30 AM

The mood is great, I feel myself inside that sewer and I can hear the dim and far noise from the city.... just great :)

Jeffparadox

10-12-2007, 01:45 PM

hahahaha, totally agree with jassar man!

Hiun

10-12-2007, 01:54 PM

I swear I am there Ferx. I don't think it's said much but the point of view in your image was good from the start, but now it is really showing how great it is. I just can't wait till it's complete!:bounce:

Ferx

10-13-2007, 01:23 AM

Mathias - Thanks for your kind words mate! I really appreciate it. You are totally right, I need to put all together and work fast ! :) Thanks again for your encouragement !! Cheers :beer:

Jassar - Thanks a lot my friend. I´m glad you liked the city and sewer, and more glad that the image can transmit the feel of inmertion on it! :D Really thanks my friend for all of your support!! :beer:

Kamal - Thanks mate! I´m putting all the gas to finish the concept! :D (I seen the white flag, ..last lap ... and i need to see the checkered flag!! :D ) Again thanks my friend for your encouragement. Cheers :beer:

mdavid

10-13-2007, 02:58 AM

It's beautiful. Kind of spooky and very moody. This is already a beautiful illustration. I can't wait to see the main characters dropping in

UldFerr

10-13-2007, 03:06 AM

Great work Fernando. I just like to point the wall on the right is looking a little plastic, like in a 3d render, it might be the hightlights and I am not sure how to fix it too. Sorry... I hope this can be helpfull.
Anyway, I am anxious to see the characters placed in this beaultiful enviroment. Good luck my friend.

SteevieWoo

10-13-2007, 05:03 AM

wow! really, really nice ................... I see you got a lot of reflection work coming, so enjoy!!:thumbsup:

Don't forget to try water ripple reflections on the walls later, that'd be so cool! You would have a subtle botton light suorce to add on your stone heads!!

Great stuff Fer, I will love to see the characters arrive to this nice place!

Russell-Nash

10-14-2007, 09:20 AM

Wow, that look really great. :thumbsup:

Can't wait to see the final scene.

Torsten

AxelAlonso

10-14-2007, 12:38 PM

HI Fer! What a great environment! Love it!:arteest: (http://forums.cgsociety.org/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=0#) The tunnel it’s so inviting, to bad there's some crocodiles swimming in there! hahaha I like a lot the reflection and the light source you had in there, like Gabriel said have fun! And the textures seem great but I will try just to add some bit of details in the end to ensure they won’t get lost in the composition with your characters!:wise:

Mark - Thanks my friend, its an honor that you liked the illustration !! :) I'm working hard to put together all the elements and characteres. Again really thanks for your great support and encouragement my friend!!

Uldison - Thanks mate!! Yes, you are right about the highlights on the left wall. I´m trying to correct that ( I over contrast a layer with the lines and holes of the wall, ok, i take out that layer :D ) Thanks again for your comment and support my friend !! :beer:

hey ferx! First passes looking nice buddy. I like your organized painting process, always good to have some order. Can't wait to see them in their environment. One thing is maybe the right side of lady's fore head is a bit thicker then the left, i feel like it could get slightly thinner. but not sure, further rendering could make it look totally fine too. run run run :D

Ferx

10-15-2007, 07:15 PM

Jeff - Thanks my friend !! I´m change the robot for human buttler. I think Egelvidio the butler can work well and put a bit funny note on the concept ( I hope :D ). And i´m check the Lady Dalila´s face for sure. (She is really seductive woman ... hahahaha :D ) Thanks again for all of your support my friend !! :beer:

mdavid

10-16-2007, 12:24 AM

Yes! I like the idea of a nervous butler. Makes us wonder what happened to the last butler, eh? I especially like the way you're painting Dalila's hands. Keep going buddy. You're making great progress

UldFerr

10-16-2007, 03:04 AM

Looking good Fernando, looking good... no critics at the moment.
Keep the good work my friend.

MartinNielsen

10-16-2007, 07:07 AM

Nice work. :thumbsup: I still think she should end up being the dinner. I bet she's tasty... :twisted:

AxelAlonso

10-16-2007, 11:21 AM

Hola Fer! Hey Love the new butler Egelvidio, he will add a nice humour touch to Lady Dalila! love her name also by the way ;) ! The white dress its perfect on her I wil also sugest some nice accesories like a bracelet, or big diamonds choker I dont know?:rolleyes: Something that will tell how spoil she is and like to have her dear ones hahaa! I am sure you will have more fun now that the characters are there!:applause:...